Integrated trolley hoist



y 1962 K. B. KITTLE ET AL 3,033,383

INTEGRATED TROLLEY HOIST Filed June 19, 1958 4 Shets-Sheet 1- INVENTORS 5917b 5 1509/6 BY h d/fer fBbfi/er May 8, 196 K. B. KITTLE EIAL 3,033,383

' INTEGRATED TROLLEY HOIST Filed June 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS 1 6/76 [9? flW/e BY h d/fer f. E/cfi fer A ORNEYS May 8, 1962 B. KITTLE ETAL 3,033,383

INTEGRATED TROLLEY HOIST Filed June 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VEN TORS ,l el /l 5. 1577/6 y IVfi/ler fl fc/uer M y 8, 19 2 K. B. KITTLE ETAL 3,033,383

INTEGRATED TROLLEY HOIST Filed June 19, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 aw b; A

ATTORNEYS nite Sttes Patent 3,033,383 Patented May 8, 1962 Jersey Filed June 19, 1958, Ser. No. 743,046 3 Claims. (Cl. 212-135) This invention relates to improvements in an integrated trolley hoist, and more particularly to a hoist integrated with a trolley in such a manner as to conserve headroom and space, the trolley being either of the push-pull type or the hand geared type, as may be desired, and the hoist and trolley form a single unit, although the invention will have other features and advantages as will be apparent to one skilled in the art;

In the past, many and various types of trolley hoists have been developed, but insofar as we are aware, these formerly known trolley hoists lacked many of the desiderata of such devices, and in many instances lacked some of the structural features which in some cases while deemed essential, could not be provided. Heretofore, most frequently, trolley hoists had the hoist itself suspended by a hook from a portion of the trolley, thus requiring considerable headroom for the assembly. Further, in many cases part of the hoist had to be built into the trolley frame, in that the idler sprockets and the chain anchor, one or both, were mounted in the trolley frame or formed a part of the trolley frame. Also, these formerly known trolley hoist assemblies had too large overall dimensions, did not achieve lightness in weight without a very complicated structure, were extremely difiicult to assemble and dismantle, frequently required reeving of the hoist after the hoist and trolley were assembled to the rail or track, did not present a neat appearance, and by virtue of requiring an over-long wheel base, failed to provide what may be termed a minimum end approac It might also be mentioned that these formerly known structures were not as economical as is now desired.

With the foregoing in mind, it is an important object of the instant invention to provide an integrated trolley hoist wherein the hoist mechanism is completely encased in the hoist frame which in turn is rigidly secured to the trolley.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of an integrated trolley hoist assembly, wherein the trolley is simply and only a trolley and carries no idler sprockets, chain anchors, or the like, with the hoist mechanism contained in the hoist frame and rigidly secured to the trolley to form an integrated part thereof.

It is also a feature of this invention to provide an integrated trolley hoist assembly wherein the hoist embodies a one-piece casting, with appropriate cavities formed therein for one or two idler sprockets when more than one part of chain is utilized in the hoisting operation.

Also a feature of the instant invention is the provision of a trolley hoist assembly wherein the hoist embodies a one-piece cast frame having integral means thereon for rigid connection with a trolley, whereby considerable headroom is saved.

Still a further feature of the instant invention is the provision of a trolley hoist assembly that is extremely easy to assemble to the rail or track and just as easy to dismantle when occasion warrants.

Still another object of the instant invention resides in the provision of an integrated trolley hoist assembly, wherein the chains are anchored very close to the hoist mechanism, thereby permitting an extremely short wheel base on the trolley and providing a minimum end approac It is also an object of the invention to provide an integrated trolley hoist assembly, wherein the hoist may be easily and readily connected to either a push-type trolley or a hand-geared trolley.

Still another feature of the instant invention resides in the provision of an integrated trolley hoist assembly provided with means to prevent excessive tilting of the trolley with respect to the rail when there is no load on the hoist.

A further object of the instant invention is the provision of an integrated trolley hoist assembly, wherein the entire hoisting mechanism may be connnected rigidly to the trolley frame by the simple expedient of secur ing a pair of crosshead bolts in place.

While some of the more salient features, characteristics FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational View of an integrated trolley hoist assembly embodying principles of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary part vertical sectional, part elevational view, with a section being taken substantially as indicated by the staggered section line II-II of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of an integrated trolley hoist assembly also embodying principles of the instant invention, but showing a slightly different form of construction, particularly wherein the hoist uses more than one part of a chain for elevating, and the trolley is of the push-type; and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially as indicated by the split section line IV IVIV of FIG. 3, the figure illustrating half sections through both crosshead bolt assemblies.

As shown on the drawings:

In the first illustrated embodiment of the instant invention,'seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a hoist which includes a frame or body part 1 in the form of a onepiece casting, which may well be made of a light metal such as aluminum, or an aluminum alloy. Molded integrally with the frame 1 are a pair of bosses 2 and 3 extending transversely of the hoist frame 1, and each of the bosses is provided with an aperture therethrough to accommodate a crosshead bolt to secure the hoist mecha-' nism to the trolley to be later described. The frame 1 may be provided with cavities for one or more idler sprockets as may be desired. One end of the frame is preferably closed by a hand chain wheel guide cover 4, and the other end by a gear cover 5, as best seen in FIG.

2. Each of these covers may well be held in position by a plurality of socket head screws 6, or the equivalent. One end of the lifting chain is preferably anchored to the frame 1, and all idler sprockets are contained within the frame 1. The hoisting mechanism itself inside the frame 1, including the necessary gears, brake mechanism, sprockets, etc. may be of the type set forth and disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,739,789, and so need not be specifically shown and described herein.

It will suflice to say herein that the entire hoisting mechanism is contained within the one-piece frame 1, as exemplified in FIG. 2 by'the showing of the hand chain 7, and a load or lift chain 8 which carrie at oneend thereof the usual load hook 9, which may be of the standard type or the safety type embodying a pivoted guard 10 indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1. 'swivelly mounted as seen at 11 in a commonly known form of block body 12.

The trolley is shown associated with a rail or track 13 which may be in the form of an I-beam. The trolley includes a pair of allochiral side plates 14 and 15, eachof which is provided with an aperture in the lower part The hook is thereof adjacent each end to coincide with the passage through the bosses 2 and 3 on the hoist frame 1. Each of the side plates may also be provided with a short angle member 16 at each end near the upper edge of the plate, as seen in FIG. 1, which angle members function as bumpers. The side plate 14, in the illustrated instance, will carry a pair of plain wheels 17 each of which is mounted for rotation on a stub shaft 18 held in place by a suitable nut and lock washer assembly as indicated at 19. The opposite side plate 15 carries a pair of geared wheels 20 each of which is mounted for rotation on a similar form of stub shaft 21. As seen in FIG. 2, these wheels are shaped to properly ride their respective half of the bottom flange of the I-beam rail or track 13. Intermediate and below the plane of the stub shafts 21-21, the side plate 15 supports a structure including a shaft 22 which may be held in position by retaining rings 23 and 24. On the inner end thereof, this shaft carries a pinion 25 which is in mesh with the gears on both the wheels 20-20, as seen in FIG. 1. Adjacent the outer end thereof, the shaft 22 carries a chain wheel or sprocket 26. A frame 27 is disposed adjacent the sprocket 26, and at each end thereof the frame carries a chain guide 28. A hand chain 29 is trained over the sprocket 26 for manipulation in either direction. Obviously when one side of the hand chain is pulled downwardly, the pinion 25 is rotated in one direction, thereby causing movement of the trolley along the rail 13, and when the chain is operated in the opposite direction, the trolley moves along the rail in the opposite direction.

The trolley is connected to the hoist proper to form what is in effect an integral rigid unit, by the simple expedient of connecting two crosshead bolts 30 and 31 through the side plates 14 and 15 of the trolley, and the bosses 2 and 3 respectively, of the hoist frame 1. Certain care must be exercised in this operation, however, in order to insure a smoothly operating trolley hoist. The I-beam flange should be measured, and approximately inch added to its width. That gives the distance that should be between the inside faces of the trolley side plates 14 and 15. This spacing is accomplished by placing one or more washers 32 between each end of a boss 2 or 3 on the hoist frame 1, and the respective trolley side plate, as seen in FIG. 2 where one washer is shown mounted in that position. Externally of each side plate, the respective crosshead bolt carries an additional supply of Washers 32 so that there will always be ample washers present to provide the correct spacing between the trolley side plates for substantially any I-beam rail or track. Each end of the crosshead bolt may then be locked in position by a lock washer 33 and a nut 34 as seen best in FIG. 2.

It will be especially noted that when the hoist proper is connected to the trolley in the manner above outlined, there is a single integrated rigid unit comprising both trolley and hoist with all of the hoisting mechanism contained in the frame 1, and the trolley is merely such without carrying any idler sprockets or anchoring means for the hoisting mechanism. This provides a neat appearing assembly, smoothly operating, and which requires a minimum of headroom. Further, because of this arrangement the wheel base of the trolley may be extremely short, thereby permitting movement of the hoist extremely close to the end of the track or rail 13.

In the event one end of the rail 13 is such as to permit sufficient room to slip the assembly onto the end, the entire assembly may be first made up and then merely slipped onto the track. On the other hand, if the rail is such that there is no room at either endthereof, then the assembly should be put together in the manner above described on the rail.

Due to the lightweight construction of this hoist, there may be a. tendency for the hoist to tilt when a pull is applied to the traversing chain and there is no load on the hoist hock. To this end, there is an added feature to the constructtion shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, namely an antitilting element. In the illustrated instance, this element takes the form of a screw 35 threaded through a tapped hole in the side plate 14, which is opposite to the side plate carrying the sprocket 26. This screw 35 may be moved inwardly to any desired or necessary extent, and locked in position by means of a nut 35a. Accordingly, when there is no load on the hoist, the trolley cannot tilt excessively on the rail 13.

In FIGS. 3 and 4, we have illustrated a slightly different form of construction, wherein the trolley is of the push-type, and the hoist is such that more than one chain part is used for lifting. In this instance, the hoist frame 36 is a one-piece casting as above described, closed at one end by a hand chain wheel guide cover 37 and at the other end by a gear cover 38 mounted in the same manner as in FIGS. 1 and 2. The hoist frame is provided with an integral transverse boss 39 and 40 at the respective ends thereof to accommodate the crosshead bolts 41 and 42 by means of which the hoist is rigidly connected to the trolley. As seen in the composite sectional showing of FIG. 4, the crosshead bolt 42 is preferably heavier than the bolt 41, because adjacent this bolt the frame 36 is provided with an additional boss 43 beneath the boss 40 to which one end of the lifting chain 44 is anchored, as seen in FIG. 3.

In this instance, more than one chain part is utilized in lifting a load, as is diagrammatically illustrated by the dotted lines 45 in FIG. 3 showing the course of chain travel. Accordingly, the load carrying hook 46 is swivelly mounted in a block 47 having a transverse shaft 48 in the upper portion thereof carrying a sprocket or chain wheel 49, since an intermediate portion of the chain will be operating with the book.

In this instance, the trolley comprises side plates 50 and 51 similar to those previously described, and the hoist frame is connected to these side plates as previously described. In this instance, each trolley side plate carries a pair of identical wheels 52 and 53 respectively, and as seen more clearly in FIG. 4, these wheels may be crowned, if so desired. In connection with FIGS. 3 and 4, except for the fact that more than one chain part is utilized in elevating a load, and there is no gearing on the trolley, the structure is assembled in substantially the same way and operates the same otherwise as does the structure above described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be noted, however, that the chain may be reeved before any part of the structure is connected or mounted upon the track or rail 13. In the instance of FIGS. 3 and 4, also, it should be noted that the onepiece cast hoist frame is provided with cavities for more than one idler sprocket.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that we have provided a simple, economical and exceedingly durable integrated hoist and trolley assembly, wherein the hoist and trolley are in effect one integral rigid structure. Further, all of the hoisting mechanism is carried within a onepiece cast hoist frame, and there are no idler sprockets or anchorages mounted on the trolley proper. The instant invention therefore is exceedingly compact in structure, and requires very little headroom.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected Without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an integrated trolley hoist for use on a track comprising an upstanding central portion with a lateral flange extending to each side from the lower end thereof, a hoist and load carrying trolley comprising spaced side plates, wheels carried by each of said side plates to ride one of the track flanges, a hand wheel mounted on one of said plates, gearing connecting said hand wheel to at least one of the wheels on said one side plate to move the trolley along the track, a hoist including a frame positioned between and rigidly connected to said side plates,

5 and an adjustable member extending inwardly from the opposite side plate beneath the adjacent track flange to prevent excessive tilting of the hoist and trolley when no load is on the hoist.

2. In an integrated trolley hoist for use on a track comprising an upstanding central portion with a lateral flange extending to each side from the lower end thereof, a hoist and load carrying trolley comprising spaced side plates, wheels carried by each of said side plates to ride one of said flanges, a hoist disposed between said side plates, said hoist including a frame comprising a onepiece casting of light metal with integral transversely extending apertured bosses projecting outwardly therefrom and at approximately the same height as the top of the frame and with sprocket cavities therein, securing means extending through said side plates and said bosses to rigidly connect the hoist frame and trolley, covers on each side of said frame, and means other than said securing means connecting said covers to said frame.

3. In an integrated trolley hoist for use on a track comprising an upstanding central portion with a lateral flange extending to each side from the lower end thereof, a

hoist and load carrying trolley comprising spaced side plates, wheels carriedby each of said side plates to ride one of said flanges, a hoist disposed between said side plates, said hoist including a frame comprising a onepiece casting of light metal with integral transversely extending apertured bosses projecting outwardly therefrom and at approximately the same height as the top of the frame, securing means extending through said side plates and said bosses to rigidly connect the hoist frame and trolley, and a member extending inwardly from one side plate beneath the adjacent track flange to prevent excessive tilting of the hoist and trolley when no load is on the hoist.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

